Pint-size yoga: Children can benefit, too

In this yoga class, forget the "ohms." The participants are more likely to bark during a downward-facing dog, or to moo and meow while stretching into the cat and cow poses.

Abby Jordan

In this yoga class, forget the "ohms." The participants are more likely to bark during a downward-facing dog, or to moo and meow while stretching into the cat and cow poses.

At Lumina at Longfellow in Wayland, a group of 6- to 9-year-olds are led through a set of creative movement stretches by instructor Carol Kagen. The class is focused on fun, and blends yoga poses with games and activities, providing kids with an energy outlet and a means of relaxation.

"Here's the challenge," Kagen says. "We're going to see if we can sing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat,' while we hold the pose."

Yoga classes for kids are becoming more popular as word spreads of the physical and mental health benefits for those from birth through the teen years.

"There are a number of things yoga helps kids with," said Dr. Brian Busconi, chief of sports medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center who also specializes in pediatric orthopedics. "The ability for kids to take time out of life to reflect and do something for their body and their mental health is very important."

Lisa Nasch of Framingham signed up her daughters, Lily, 7, and Madeline, 10, for the relaxation benefits, and because yoga is an exercise form that isn't a competitive sport.

"It's important to do something that decompresses them after school," Nasch said. "They look forward to coming, and it's something they can do from now until they're 100."

Amy Karibian, owner of Mystic Fitness in Framingham, teaches a kids' yoga class for 6- to 12-year-olds Saturdays. She said the most important thing yoga teaches kids is emotional well-being.

"It's a peaceful, safe place," she said. "Kids learn to leave behind a sense of urgency and hurry-up and immediately change from hyperactive to calm."

Karibian teaches about the history of yoga, and encourages kids to be exactly who they are emotionally and spiritually. With that, they also learn physical postures to become more attuned to the body's needs.

"Yoga is about self discovery," she said. "I want kids to blossom in the form and shape of who they are, it's a great vehicle for that type of realization."

For teenagers, yoga helps them learn how to reduce and manage stress, and relax and sleep better, said Roberta Weiner, director of the Prana Center in Holliston.

"They feel so much pressure," Weiner said. "To get good grades, get into a good college and do well on standardized tests."

The breathing techniques she teaches are ones teens can use to help calm themselves before taking a test or trying out for a play, she said.

"Any kinds of techniques they can learn to help deal with stress is helpful," she said.

At the other end of the spectrum, babies and younger children can also benefit from yoga.

It helps babies sleep longer and can improve digestion, said Helen Garabedian, who created Itsy Bitsy Yoga in 1999 and wrote her first book in 2004.

"It's something that helps babies relax and sleep better,"said Garabedian, who teaches in Sudbury, Natick and Marlborough. "Most moms come and notice that naptime has doubled after class."

Itsy Bitsy Yoga uses 75 poses to calm and nurture babies from birth to age 2. Parents are responsible for carrying out a baby's yoga movements until they are old enough to walk, then help them into poses when needed.

The guided movements of Itsy Bitsy Yoga use repetition to help babies learn and remember what is coming next, Garabedian said. It also increases the bonds between parents and their child.

Garabedian said she often sees babies and toddlers reach developmental milestones, like rolling over for the first time or taking their first steps in class.

"It's a really sweet thing," she said.

Abby Jordan can be reached at 508-490-7461 or ajordan@cnc.com.

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